DMCA Force Submits Seminar Entry for 2014 SXSW

TUCSON, Ariz. — Intellectual property-rights enforcement service DMCA Force is hoping to be chosen for a piracy session at Austin's SXSW next year.

SXSW, formally known as South by Southwest, is a unique convergence of original music, independent films and emerging technologies showcasing the best new digital works, video games and ideas the international community has to offer.

DMCA Force has entered into SXSW's "panel picker" system that allows entities to submit their seminar proposals so that they can get voted on online. Online votes count for 30 percent in the decision-making process with an advisory board holding a 40-percent share and SXSW staff counting for a 30-percent share.

If DMCA Force is chosen for the proposed seminar in January, tentatively titled "Piracy: Friend or Foe," the panel would include Pink Visual President Allison Vivas, DMCA Force's Lela Chavis, filmmaker Jason Willis and IT expert Matthew Schruers.

"Independent musicians, record labels, software developers, self publishers and every other possible type of copyright holder has been affected in recent years from the ongoing battle of digital piracy," DMCA Force said in its proposal. "Some advocates believe that piracy is inevitable and beneficial while others decry the loss of control and revenue.

"Our panel would address this ongoing issue from a variety of perspectives and offer insight from the legal, social, technical and creative individuals involved in the ever changing landscape of online piracy."

According to the proposed seminar's application, DMCA Force would hope to answer the following questions:

Who profits from online piracy and does it serve a beneficial purpose within society?

How can independent artists protect themselves from digital piracy and should they?

What tools and methods are used to effectively combat piracy, what are the pros and cons of the various tactics?

Where do you see the future of online piracy heading and how will that effect tomorrows creators and consumers?

What role do consumers play in online piracy and how does it alter the ethics of creation and consumption?

DMCA Force launched in June 2012 and offers DMCA take-down notification, infringement and take-down monitoring, and the creation of digital fingerprints for content owners.